A head of India’s budget on February 1st, Narendra Modi asked Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, to bless the poor and the middle class. The prime minister’s request for divine intervention mingled public spirit with political self-interest: frustration about economic growth and joblessness contributed to Mr Modi’s loss of his outright majority in elections held last year.

The government is trying to boost domestic demand among its vast middle class as food inflation dents disposable income.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded the role of the middle class in the country and #39;s growth and said their aspirations are giving impetus to the nation and #39;s progress